Jaco Pretorius has decided to retire from professional rugby after struggling with a back injury all season.

The 32-year-old centre was advised by his doctors to quit after failing to recover from injury this year. Pretorius played in 48 Super Rugby matches and 87 provincial matches for the Bulls and Lions and has represented the Springboks in two Tests. After joining the Bulls in 2008, Pretorius won a Currie Cup and back-to-back Super Rugby titles.

‘It is with great thanks and appreciation that I announce my retirement. I was so blessed in the 14 years of top flight rugby and words cannot describe the pride with which I pulled on my playing kit every time I could go out there, whether it was in red, blue or green,’ he said on the official Bulls website.

‘I injured my back again during rehabilitation and after seeking the opinions of specialists, was advised to quit, so my retirement comes earlier than planned. I could not have played my last game at a better place than at the Bulls. To win trophies and play with legends of the game was a special privilege.’